Proof Copy. Retold by Carl Sommer Illustrated by Ignacio Noé. Carl Sommer. Over 1,000 Pages of FREE Character-Building Resources!

s rie to Som m -Time S er Sommer Time Stories Classics Mot i v ating Children to Su c c ee d Classics HHH -Winning HHH Motivational Character-Building Resources Sommer-Time Series Won Over 65 National s! Teachers Choice Mom s Choice Children s Choice Family Choice Parents Choice Retold by Carl Sommer Illustrated by Ignacio Noé Stories and Videos that Motivate Children to Succeed Sommer-Time Story Series The highly acclaimed character-building series with its action-filled stories help children to understand and follow positive character traits. These exciting and enjoyable books have also been translated into foreign languages. Videos and Read-Alongs Children will be fascinated and motivated when they hear or see Carl Sommer, along with realistic sound effects and dynamic music, share from his rich experiences principles necessary for success. Over 1,000 Pages of FREE Character-Building Resources! These free character-building education resources help children become successful. On our website under Free Resources, there are lesson plans, activity pages, award certificates, posters, games, English lessons, writing ideas, coloring pages, puzzles, quizzes, and more. AdvancePublishing.com Carl Sommer Carl Sommer, an award-winning author and devoted educator has a passion for communicating positive character traits and practical learning skills. Out of his rich experiences he has authored numerous books and literacy programs. Sommer, also a successful ISBN 978-1-57537-927-2 businessman, owns the largest company of its kind in North America. He continues to write and develop educational materials. P U B L I S H I N G ith sw e m i T Fun Self-Esteem / Perseverance / Courage Trust / Safety / Obedience Parents

Sommer-Time Stories Classics By Carl Sommer Illustrated by Ignacio Noé Copyright 2016 Advance Publishing. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted without permission from the publisher. Printed in China. First Edition Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Sommer, Carl, 1930- The eagle and the chickens / by Carl Sommer ; illustrated by Ignacio Noe. -- First edition. pages cm. -- (Sommer-time stories-classics) Summary: When fate sends a young eagle to live with a group of chickens, he discovers the pain and the joy of being different. This story emphasizes the importance of perseverance, courage, and self-esteem -- Provided by publisher. ISBN 978-1-57537-927-2 (library binding : alk. paper) -- ISBN 978-1-57537-933-3 (pdf) -- ISBN 978-1-57537-945-6 (kf8) -- ISBN 978-1-57537-939-5 (epub) [1. Eagles--Fiction. 2. Chickens-- Fiction. 3. Individuality--Fiction. 4. Self-esteem--Fiction.] I. No?, 1965- illustrator. II. Title. PZ7.S696235Eag 2016 [E]--dc23 2015007115 P U B L I S H I N G

Long ago two bald eagles lived with their two babies in a nest of sticks and branches on the top of a tall tree. I m going fishing, said Papa Eagle. I want the babies to get big and strong. Soon Papa came back with a big fish. 3

The young eagles had tumbled to the ground and were unhurt. As soon as it stopped raining, one of the eagles said, We re not safe here. I m going into the woods to hide. I m hiding in the nest for now, said the other eagle. 4 The babies are getting so big, said Mama. Soon they will be able to fly. But that night a big windstorm knocked the eagle s nest from the tree. Papa and Mama quickly flew away. Then Papa said, Let s go back and search for the babies. Let s go, said Mama. But the weather was so stormy that they could not find them. We ll search again when it s daylight, said Mama. 5

6 When the young eagle went into the woods, she saw two shadows running towards her. What s that? she exclaimed. It was two raccoons! She tried to run away, but the raccoons were much too fast. The raccoons quickly jumped on her and ate her. As soon as the sun rose that morning, Papa and Mama flew to where the nest was. Suddenly, Papa yelled, Oh, nooooo! I see two raccoons and lots of feathers. Ohhhhh! cried Mama. The raccoons ate our babies. Quickly, Papa and Mama flew down to attack the raccoons. But as soon as the raccoons saw the eagles, they dashed into the hollow of a tree. Sadly, Papa and Mama flew away. 7

When it was noon, the young eagle hiding in the nest began looking for his sister. When he saw eagle feathers on the ground, he groaned, Oh, nooooo! Some animal ate my sister. I ve got to get out of here! The eagle walked and walked. I m getting tired and hungry, he said. Suddenly, he heard a slight noise. What s that? he asked. It sounds like many birds. If there are birds, there must be food. 8 When the eagle got close to the sound, he saw the birds. Wow! he exclaimed. Look at all the food they have to eat. Upon seeing the rooster, he asked, Do you mind if I join you? A big windstorm knocked my nest from the tree. Sure, said the rooster. Eat all the food you want. Thank you so much, the eagle said. 9

Then all the other chickens began laughing. The eagle covered his beak with his wings and said, I can t help the way I look. Maybe when I grow up, my mouth will look like yours. Then he slowly walked away. 10 While the eagle was eating, a chicken began to laugh at him. You sure have a funny-looking mouth, she said. It s bent. 11

12 The next day the eagle was so happy thinking about all the food he could eat that he flapped his big wings. Stop that flapping! demanded the angry rooster. You re making a big mess. Look at us when we flap our wings. You don t see us chickens making a big mess. I can t help making a mess with my wings, whispered the eagle. As he walked away, he groaned, I guess it s best for me not to flap my wings again. 13

One day a chicken noticed that some of the feathers on the eagle s head were turning white. You re so young, the chicken said laughing. Why is your head turning white? You look so old. All the chickens began laughing at the eagle. I can t help the way I look, whispered the eagle. He walked into the chicken coop and groaned over and over again, Ohhhhh! How I wish I looked like the chickens. But in spite of his wishing, his head became whiter and whiter and his feathers darker and darker. 14141515

When the rooster saw that the fox was gone, he ran out of the chicken coop and yelled at the eagle. How can you be so foolish? Don t you know that fox can kill you? I didn t know that, said the eagle, shaking all over. Next time I ll run into the chicken coop just like you. One day a hungry fox came into the pen to get a chicken. When the rooster saw him, he shouted, Fox! The rooster and all the chickens dashed into the chicken coop, but the eagle was not afraid. He ran to attack the fox. When the fox saw the eagle and his big claws and beak, he ran away as fast as he could. 16 17

Forget it, said the rooster. You weren t born to fly. You were born to live on the ground, just like the rest of us. The eagle hung his head and groaned, I guess you re right. Just like you I dig in the ground, and eat bugs, grubs, and worms. I guess I m no different. One day while looking up in the sky, the eagle saw a flock of seagulls. Ohhhhh! he exclaimed to those around him. How I wish I could fly. 181 8 1 9 19

One day a mighty wind storm ripped across the barnyard. Run inside! shouted the rooster. All the chickens dashed into the chicken coop, except the eagle. He loved the wind. 20 Still, every night the eagle thought about flying. Often he would spread his wings and groan, Ohhhhh! How I wish I could fly. But then he would say, I know it s hopeless. 21

22 When the rooster ran into the chicken coop, he turned around and saw the eagle spreading out his wings. He was furious. However, as the strong wind flowed through the eagle s wings, he exclaimed, This is fun! Suddenly, the eagle became frightened. Oh, no! he yelled. I can t let myself fly. He quickly pulled in his wings and dug his claws hard into the earth. I must listen to the rooster and stay on the ground. 23

After the storm, the rooster raced out of the chicken coop and yelled, Why are you so foolish again? Don t you know the wind could pick you up and slam you into that fence? The eagle bowed his head and said, I m sorry. Next time when a storm comes, I ll run into the chicken coop just like you. 24 One day the eagle looked up and saw two birds that looked just like his dad and mom gliding in the sky. What s that I see? he exclaimed. Those birds look just like me. If they can fly, so can I! 25

All the chickens laughed at the eagle. The rooster grabbed the eagle s wing and said, Just because you can flap your wings, doesn t mean you can fly. We chickens have wings, but you never see us flying. It s impossible for you to fly! Trust me. You were born to live on the ground, just like the rest of us. The eagle ran back to his friends and exclaimed, I just saw two birds that look just like me flying high in the sky! If they can fly, so can I! 26 27

I guess I ll never fly, groaned the eagle as he slowly walked away. That night he wept over and over again, Ohhhhh! How I wish I could fly! 28 After crying for a long time, suddenly he lifted up his head and exclaimed, The least I can do is try! Everyone says I can t fly. But no one can stop me from trying. 29

30 From then on, every day when the chickens were busy eating, the eagle went behind the chicken coop and flapped his wings. I need to keep flapping my wings so they become strong. I ve made up my mind, when my wings are strong, I m going to try my best to fly! Then he said, How foolish I was to listen to those voices trying to keep me down. 31

32 Then when his wings were strong, he saw an eagle flying. Here I go! he exclaimed. I m going to try my best to fly. He flapped his wings with all his might. Suddenly, his feet left the ground. As he went higher and higher, he let out a mighty cry, Hoorayyyyy! Now I am free to fly and to become what I was born to be!